Week 10 - I fell in love with missionary work

The most noteworthy thing from this week was that we had splits. So one of the Sister Training Leaders named Sister Arnold (she's American) came and really showed me how an ideal day should be. I don't know exactly what did it, but I really fell in love with missionary work on that day. We just really focused on the individual needs of those we are teaching instead of just going through the motions. We really tried to rely on the spirit and we saw the fruits of that sooo much! We taught EIGHT people that day- all amazinggg lessons. Thats a ton in one day, by the way. It just was so amazing and by the end of the day, I couldn't stop smiling. I really felt like a made an impact on bringing those we taught closer to Christ through my testimonies and words. It was an amazing day. We also found three new super prepared people to teach. So the Lord is amazing. I love this work, and this work is so real. Especially when you use every second of every day focused on the work.

This week had no rain MEANING we had SUNSETS. Oh did we have sunsets. Wow. Yeah. So basically I saw three amazing sunsets this week and I couldn't close my mouth and couldn't stop saying "wow". I took over 100 pictures and yeah THEY WERE GORGEOUS!!! I will attach some of the manyyy pictures I have of it. The beach is also a great place for finding people to teach around sunset cause everyone is there. So yeah. That's all. I love it here. I love sunsets. But anyone who knows me already knows that(((: But they all made my day 1000x better.

There was also one day hahha we got fed FIVE meals consecutively. Holy smokes I have never wanted to never eat again so bad. I thought I was gonna explode. We had never eaten at a member's house so it was the first day, and apparently everyone wanted to feed us that day so yeah I was sooooo full at the end of the day and Sister De Leon and I said we never wanted to eat again hahah but of course we have.

This week, we traveled to Bacolod to hear words from General Authorities and how amazing it was. The Young Women's General President and her husband came and then one of the members of the Area Presidency came (WHO IS FIJIAN BY THE WAY SO YAY FIJI) and it was spectacular. I felt so lucky to be a missionary and it was such a testament of the power they hold. Their words pierced my heart and I wish I could just copy and paste everything they said on here, but I can't.

Elder Wakolo (the Fijian) shared an amazing experience of an investigator a long time ago who 24 different missionaries visited. TWENTY FOUR. Thats a ton. He had gone to like 6 different churches and at that time was a Jehovah's Witness. He married a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but because he didn't believe in the Book of Mormon, forbade his wife to read the Book of Mormon in their household or even speak of her religion. She, then, the wife got her patriarchal blessing and it said she would one day be taken to the temple by her husband. Under the conditions she was in, she believed it would end up being a different husband because no way would this husband ever take her to the temple. The 23rd and 24th missionaries tried and tried to get him to join the church but he refused to believe in the Book of Mormon. Anyway, long story short, he challenged the missionaries to come to his house three nights in a row, and he would ask as many questions as he had and they would have to answer -- using the Bible only. This was an incredibly hard task and they did it. The third night, they decided to start with them asking a question. The question was "If you had a store, what would you call it?" He eventually, after thinking about it, answered "Well probably after my family name because its my store". The missionaries paused and said, "Well then don't you think it's appropriate that the founder of our church is what our church is named after?" This pierced his heart and asked one more question to end the night: "When can I be baptized?" AMAZING right?! I can't even imagine being those missionaries and trying to prepare for those three nights of questions without any amount of preparation for the questions. Of course, that husband eventually took his wife to the temple. And that husband is Elder Wakolo. That was his own conversion story. Wow. We were all amazed. The room was silent after that.

His message was simple and short. He said we need to be so in tune with the spirit so that anyone could ask us a question and we could say what they need to hear. He also said we need to be patient. Sometimes, we are only preparing people for future missionaries. If someone is not getting baptized, it does not mean we are doing something wrong, but that we should do everything we can to prepare them. Anyways, that's super long but it was amazing and we all talked about it for hours after that- just how amazing Heavenly Father is at preparing the people.

I love y'all so much and go out and spread this wonderful word with the world! They need it! Everyone needs this gospel.

Sister Robertson

At the mission home with my companion, Sister De Leon.

A picture on Sunday when we looked gwapa!

I saw Sister Bergman this week at the mission-wide devotional! It was sooo fun to see her and catch up. She is a light in my life for sure.

Here is Sister Bergmann and I with our companions. I feel tall!

A picture while on splits and our cute investigator Luis.

I made spaghetti Mom! SUPER YUM! I miss your spaghetti though.

This looked like a hugeee grapefruit like you can't even tell but it was HUGE. It's called a Pomelo.

I was being artsy hahaha

A blue sky! I didn't know these existed in the Philippines!

We had 3 straight days of amazing sunsets. THIS ONE WAS THE MOST BREATHTAKING. I COULDN'T CLOSE MY MOUTH. GOD IS SO GOOD!

An amazing sunset

The sunsets were all so beautiful.

So beautiful here

Week 9 - Mission-wide Cleaning Day

This past Wednesday, was announced as "Mission-wide Cleaning Day", meaning that the entire Bacolod Philippines mission would spend from 10 am to 5 pm cleaning their residents. So that is what we did. We cleaned and we cleaned and we cleaned. It was so awesome though. Because I got to feel not as gross opening up the fridge or sitting on the toilet or even just leaning against the wall. We cleaned literally everything. Even things that are not necessarily normal to clean, I cleaned it. I wanted to do everything I could hahha. But it was awesome. I sweat all day and I was super gross and then of course at the end of the day, Sister De Leon wanted a picture so yes we have a picture of me super nasty but super happy with a clean house. For a clean house is a happy house. Doing planks on the floor doesnt gross me out anymore because the floor is all mopped and swept! Yay! 

Other than that, it was a pretty normal week. We traveled to Bacolod (yet another 5 hour bus ride) for the flu shot (which I had already gotten at the Manila MTC I forgot to tell ya'll but yeah they made everyone get them) but Sis De Leon needed it, so we went. And she- well- she is afraid of shots you could say. So hahah I helped her calm down and come out from hiding so that I could hold her hand while she got a shot. But she did great and got a lollipop after((:. 

Oh also, so I was kind of getting discouraged this week just with how I felt like I wasn't really doing a good job at being a junior companion and a trainee for whatever reason. Not really sure how to describe how I felt but I just kind of felt that I was being slow in learning and I was keeping my trainer from doing the best work she could be doing. There would be times when she would expect me to know what to do but I didn't and I just felt bad. So, I brought it up to her kind of in an apologetic way and her response was- exactly what I needed to hear. She said "Yes I do that, you wanna know why? Because a lot of times I forget you're a trainee. You are progressing so fast that I forget that I need to slow down and be a trainer. We have already transitioned in the lessons and you can communicate and understand for the most part most of the time, so I forget I need to slow down." That released all the worry off my shoulders. She then proceeded to say "You are like the best companion I have had just because you are so fun and there is nothing wrong with my other companions I just love being with you. And I can tell you will be a huge blessing to this branch because you already are. You will not be a burden in anyway and the people here already say you are great just because you are so fun and loving to the people." 

Anyways, just those words brought the peace I needed and I felt my whole attitude change after that. I have had an easier time finding happiness in the hard things and just being more outgoing. I am so so grateful for her words and the sweet spirit she is. I got a little down, but Heavenly Father picked me right back up. I love Him and I love Sister De Leon and I am loving the hard moments that allow me to rely on my Savior.

I don't have my notebook with me with my notes, but this week I read about Moroni and his preparations for war in Alma. I still loveee the scripture Alma 48:17 that states that if all men were to be like Moroni, the very gates of hell would be closed. That is just so powerful to me and I so want to be like that. I remember reading that scripture back at home in May or June and telling dad how much I loved that. Moroni had his desires aligned with the Lords and was willing to do anything He asked of him. Moroni is one of the best examples of a Christlike example in the Book of Mormon, at least for me. I love that he is so faithful and so loving. My goal is for Heavenly Father to say that about me on judgement day. I know we can all be like that. If we rely on our Savior, and keep an eye single to God's glory, and be 100% obedient to all the commandments, we will have more power than we could ever imagine against the adversary. 

I love y'all so much and hope you know I am so happy here!

Sister Robertson

Week 8 - It rains like crazy here

Yep. I sure am in the Philippines. It rains like crazy here. I still have like 5 more months of the rainy season!! Hahaha its actually not that bad most of the time but one time, my trainer and I were like 5 minutes away from our balay (house) and it started POURING. SIDEWAYS. Meaning our umbrellas weren't much help. The bottom of our dresses were soakeddd. But it was the end of the day so I just laid by the fan and dried off for the night.

Not a ton to update on this week. I am still learning the names of all the people we teach and all the kids that constantly follow me around saying "sis!" over and over. So so cute. We have had no crazy amazing experiences yet to share but I know they will come as I figure out what is going on(: But one thing of note- is that my trainer and I "transitioned" this week. Which means, I started teaching the lessons with her instead of her talking the whole time and then me sharing a testimony at the end. Well, she ended up telling me that that usually happens after SIX WEEKS. Hahaha so apparently I am moving kinda fast. Because I asked to do it after 4 days in the field. So yeah that has been super awesome to have more of a voice. I know the more I speak, the more I will learn. I owe my trainer, Sister De Leon, one peso if I speak in English, so yeah I don't do that anymore. So it is weird to do it in my emails. I wish I could write in some hiligaynon but there's not even a way to translate hahah. Oh hiligaynon.

This weekend was "district" conference because they have a district here not a stake. But it was super awesome and I was able to fill a couple pages with notes even though it was all in Ilonggo!

This morning, we went on a hike at a resort here called "Tinagong Dagat" or "Hidden Sea" and holy smokes I was in aweeeee. Of course, I took too many pictures that I can't even upload cause the computers here are so slow but eventually, you will see how beautiful it was. I read my scriptures on top of the viewing point and wow just so good. Something about being closer to God physically is so special when reading Scriptures.

In my reading, Alma 26:12 states that, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as for my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." This just really jumped out of the page at me. I am weak. I have very little strength a lot of the times. But I do know that through God, I am strong. I will rejoice in His power and His grace, for it is He that brings might miracles into the life of men. Not me. Everytime I try to rely on my own strength, I find myself tired out and weak. But when I rely on His strength, I find the amazing tender mercies in every part of my day that He is constantly sending down. I love Him and am do thankful for all He does constantly for me, even though He has so many children to worry about, He still takes time for me everyday. And that is pretty amazing if you ask me.

I love yall and miss yall!!!

Sister Robertson

This is a cute family that we taught. Adelina is the mom and she's so cute and laughs at my english!

Here is a pic of the insaneeee rain. I couldnt capture the intensity of it of course, but yeah it was nuts.

Week 7 - I ate Baloot!! (Watch the Video!)

Oh my goodness Maayong Hapon (or Aga sa Amerika) but it has been so long since I have last talked to y'all! So I am happy to tell you I am officially in my mission and in my area Sipalay. Which is the very most south zone of bacolod. 

First though- I will let you know that I can, now indeed, say that I have tried the infamous baloot. Yeah that's that duck egg thing that they don't cook until it's almost hatched. Did I gag many times? Of course. Did I eat the whole thing? Of course. Did it taste horrible? Actually no. PERO I could not get my mind off the idea that I was eating feathers and crunching on things I didn't know what it was. So yeah. Will not be doing that again- but I had to be able to say I did it. Hopefully I will have time to attach and send pictures and my video of eating it. It really does not look appetizing. I hope you're proud that I put that thing into my mouth. 

After 7 weeks together, it was super hard to say goodbye to Sister Bergman. I actually ran into her today because my companion and I are in Bacolod for a doctor appointment of hers. So that was an extra special treat and my heart burst for joy over seeing her. She really is such a special soul to me. Has such a dear part in my heart for all she did for me. But yes, I am here in the field and yes I am loving every second! Of course, the language is a struggle but nothing more than what I prepared myself for. I have been able to testify in every lesson, as well as share how I receive answers to my prayers for one of our investigators named Raul. It was such a neat experience and I can just see the light of Christ in his eyes. But yeah, my new companion is Sister De Leon and she is from Manila. And she has 6 weeks left on her mission, so I am going to be the one to "kill" her (be her last companion). But yeah, she is super pro at the language and everything missionary work related so she is sweet to have patience with me as I figure out what I am doing. But truly- I love it here and this work is so real and so rewarding. She already has like 20 baptisms on the schedule for the next few months. This place is crazy prepared. 

One funny thing about the Philippines, is well- I am a skittle in the midst of a bunch of M&Ms. Meaning I am the only white one basically here and so in result, EVERYONE stares at me. Like doesn't try to hide it either. Just stares. It's quite funny. And as soon as I introduce myself to anyone, one of the first things they say is "Guapa ka" which means "You are beautiful". Everyone here wants to have white skin. Like literally- their body washes and soaps have "whitening detergent" in them so they can become more white. They relate white skin with beauty. And blonde hair. So yeah, I am complimented a lot here. It's quite funny but so sweet. These are just a few of the comments I have gotten: "Guapa gid sister" (You are so beautiful sister) or "You look like a doll, you are so perfect" or "You look like barbie" or "You are going to be so sexy here" hahah those were her exact words. Didn't really know how to respond to it. And then some young men have called me hot and one pretended to kiss my hand like I was a princess but I kinda freaked out and awkwardly laughed it off. Hahahha but yeah people here are super nice and I feel very showered with compliments. And they will say it over and over in the same conversation and I don't really know how to respond. Like do I say thank you every single time? I don't know. Still figuring things out(:

But anyways, yeah it rains a lot here. I got some rubber shoes at the Manile MTC that I wear everyday because my other shoes would get ruined. I also have the water shoes we got from amazon that has been awesome, they just don't dry as fast. But I wear both of them. Yesterday, church was in Ilonggo which was fun hahha and it was testimony meeting, but the Branch President asked my to bear my testimony first, so I did. I got some giggles when I said sorry for my being white but overall, it was good. The saying here is "sagad" which means pro. And every time I speak, basically, someone, usually my trainer, says "sagad!" So that is always comforting. I think I am well on my way to learning the language but definitely have soooo far to go, naturally. 

I love y'all so much! And since I am in Bacolod, I do not have all my notes of my spiritual promptings and insights I usually have for emails, but I will just leave with a simple thought. I read, in one day (because I could not put it down), "Our Search for Happiness", by M. Russel Ballard. And holy smokes. So good. Literally anyone who reads my letter needs to get their hands on that book. It explains so well what we believe and why we believe it. It is good for members of the church and non-members the same. It is so stinkin good. I just was reminded that I am so lucky to have grown up in this church. The immense eternal blessings that come from living this gospel are so much greater than anything in this world. I am so happy I get to share this happiness with the people of the Philippines. I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ and that Joseph Smith really did restore the fulness of the gospel on the earth. And wow, how grateful I am that he did.

I miss you family! I love you! Keep being awesome!

Sister Robertson

Me with President and Sister Sumagpao, my new mission president and his wife 

All of the new missionaries that arrived in Bacolod with me

This is Baloot. Gross looking. 

This is one of the dishes they served us and it was superrrr yum. At the Manila MTC. I later found out what it was and let us just say I was happy I found out after

This is one of the dishes they served us and it was superrrr yum. At the Manila MTC. I later found out what it was and let us just say I was happy I found out after

This is UBE ICE CREAM! It was super yum. I can't explain the taste but yeah super yum. And super cheap. Like 25 cents.

And this is outside of the church building in Sipalay. THIS ISLAND IS SOOOO BEAUTIFUL I DIE!! And my area is right by the ocean which is gorgeous and I will get a picture of the beach another time.

Here is the Manila Temple. SOOOO pretty. We got to do a session and it was super small but super beautiful. Luckily it was in English!